THE BEAT HOTEL- 2011. Synopsis by Zap-2-It. “In the late 1950s and early 1960s, a cheap Paris hotel becomes a sanctuary for Allen Ginsberg, Peter Orlovsky, William Burroughs and others of their ilk.” Poor early reviews. TRDB.
Add comment March 9th, 2012
BULLY- 2011. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “Directed by Sundance and Emmy-award winning filmmaker, Lee Hirsch, The Bully Project is a beautifully cinematic, character-driven documentary. At its heart are those with huge stakes in this issue whose stories each represent a different facet of America’s bullying crisis. The Bully Project follows five kids and families over the course of a school year. Stories include two families who have lost children to suicide and a mother awaiting the fate of her 14-year-old daughter who has been incarcerated after bringing a gun on her school bus. With an intimate glimpse into homes, classrooms, cafeterias and principals’ offices, the film offers insight into the often cruel world of the lives of bullied children.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
3/31/12- Very good review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/17/12- A very powerful documentary that should be required viewing for all parents. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment March 9th, 2012
THE TROUBLE WITH BLISS- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “THE TROUBLE WITH BLISS tells the story of 35-year-old Morris Bliss (Michael C. Hall), who is clamped firmly in the jaws of New York City inertia. He wants to travel but has no money; he needs a job but has no prospects; and he still shares an apartment with his widowed father (Peter Fonda), who treats Morris with a mix of disdain and exasperation. When he finds himself juggling a bizarre relationship with the sexually precocious 18-year-old daughter (Brie Larson) of a former classmate and the advances of his very forward neighbor (Lucy Liu), Morris realizes that even though his life is unraveling, it’s also opening up in ways that are long overdue.” Fairly good early audience reviews. TRDB.
3/23/12- OK review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 8th, 2012
4:44 LAST DAY ON EARTH- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “After learning that the world will end the following day at 4:44 a.m., a New York City couple lives out their final hours with mixed emotions. They also try to say goodbye to loved ones, which results in some eleventh-hour issues.”
3/23/12- Good review in today’s NY Times but awful professional and audience reviews in general. TRDB.
8/23/12- After a group of better movies with a similar theme this was an incredibly boring exercise and I turned it off. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment March 8th, 2012
WOMB- 2009. Synopsis by Netflix. “Recently widowed Rebecca (Eva Green) attempts to surmount her unbearable heartache by having her deceased husband cloned. This morally controversial decision, however, ushers the unyielding woman down a difficult path she never expected. Hungarian filmmaker Benedek Fliegauf writes and directs this futuristic, intensely emotional love story that also stars Matt Smith, Lesley Manville and Peter Wight.” Surprisingly good early reviews for this sci-fi movie. TRDB.
3/31/12- Poor review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 8th, 2012
THE KID WITH A BIKE- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “After being abandoned by his father, preteen Cyril fills with rage, and when good-hearted hairdresser Samantha tries to help him, the disillusioned boy is torn between his need to lash out at the world and his desire for love and stability.” Great early reviews. TRDB.
3/16/12- Great review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
4/2/12- The actor who played the kid was great and the story was a heartening act of love. There were also a few terrific scenes like the scene in a car when the boy is very upset. A better understanding of the woman’s motivation would have helped me but the movie was excellent never-the-less. TRDB. At the Theater.
Add comment March 3rd, 2012
DETACHMENT- 2011. Synopsis by Netflix. “An emotionally detached substitute teacher floats from class to class without forming any bonds. But when he takes a new assignment at an inner city school, he unexpectedly finds himself becoming involved in the lives of his colleagues and students.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
3/8/12- A truly great movie. Very difficult to watch at times– a tribute to great acting and a terrific screenplay. TRDB. Comcast On-Demand.
3/16/12- Weak review in today’s NY Times. TRDB.
Add comment March 3rd, 2012
CASA DE MI PADRE- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Will Ferrell stars as a Spanish-speaking cowboy in this comedy about a Mexican clan trying to rescue their ranch from greedy creditors. When his brother can’t save the day, the simple but noble ranch hand takes on a powerful drug lord.” Very good early reviews. TRDB.
3/16/12- One of those ambiguous reviews in today’s NY Times but I think it was so-so. TRDB.
8/18/12- A cute spoof that may have gone on just a bit too long but I liked it. TRDB. Netflix.
Add comment March 3rd, 2012
PRAY FOR JAPAN- 2012. Synopsis by Rotten Tomatoes. “This documentary chronicles the personal stories behind the earthquake and tsunami that ravaged Japan in March 2011. Interviewees include victims, volunteers, and rescue workers who came together as a nation during a time of great tragedy.” Only a few reviews and they are poor so far. TRDB.
Add comment March 3rd, 2012
PROJECT X- 2012. Synopsis by Netflix. “Deciding to throw a party when their parents go out of town, three high school geeks hope to lure chicks to their revelries by posting an invitation online. But the invite goes viral, and before long the party escalates into a frenzied free-for-all.”
3/2/12- This ridiculous sounding movie got awful professional reviews but the NY Times seemed to like it. I’m not sure what to say! TRDB.
Add comment March 2nd, 2012